Just before Christmas, we got the bad news that the Senate passed its own version of the Democratic health care bill. Truth be told, it’s even worse than the House version that passed earlier this fall.
Now, members of both the House and the Senate are supposed to come together and work out the differences between the bills in what’s known as the conference report.
That entire process is supposed to be open to the public and aired on C-SPAN, so that the American people have a chance to see what exactly is contained in the new health care bill.
But according to news reports released this morning, the President and Congressional Democrats have struck a backroom deal so they can avoid the open and transparent conference process to which every American is entitled.
That’s just wrong.
For the last couple of months, we’ve had a feature on our website called Ask Gresham where people could come and ask me a question about the issues facing our state. Today, I wanted to do something a little different. I want to ask Speaker Pelosi, Senator Reid and President Obama a question – What are you afraid of? Why won’t you give the American people the open and transparent legislative process that they are promised?
Now, I don’t expect they’ll ever answer my question, but I am sure you have some thoughts on the issue. So, I hope you’d take just a minute to watch the brief video and voice your opinion on the Congressional Democrats’ plans to work out the details of the health care bill behind closed doors.
Maybe you can answer the question – What are Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Barack Obama afraid of?
Sincerely,
Gresham Barrett
They’re afraid if we find out what’s in the bill that we’ll revolt. Well, here’s a message for them – we’re going to do it any way!
Gresham – This is awesome! I was thinking about supporting another GOP Candidate but he just keeps talking about lawsuits. We need the American people to stand up and fight this health care debacle. Thank you for your stand and your service.
What they are doing is not for the benefit of the people and they want to slip it through as quietly as possible. If they had to be on the same health care that we are they would act differently. They are doing things that are unconstitutional and by law their hand should be called and a stop put to it. This administration is taking away our rights and freedoms
of choice as Americans and it is time someone challenges them. Thank you for taking a stant
Gresham,
Thank you for bringing this to the attention of WE THE PEOPLE and thank you for your leadership on fighting the health care bill.
To answer your question, they scared that if we know what the bill has in it that we will do everything we can to stop it.
Amy
The three “BIG” heads in Washington do not want to include anyone who disagrees with them in their plans because , then they would not have control. The object is to hide everything until they get what they want, and then if they continually talk like it’s wonderful and how great it will be for the country and how hardhearted the Republicans are for disagreeing with them, eventually they think everyone will began to believe it. Unfortuatelly, some will. What they are afraid of, is the TRUTH.!
Thank you for looking for the truth and not compromising!
God bless,
Lily Lenderman
What Pelosi, Heid and Obama are afraid of is “We the American People” would not vote for their so-called “health reform bill’ because it is not reform, but backroom deals with their own party to get their personnal pet projects for their own states. I’m totally against this administration because they do not let the Republican party in on the so-called “REFORM” of health care. It will cost our small businesses to go out of business and the below poverty population will become even more poverished.
They are afraid of ‘ Tea Parties’ and the real American people . Gresham the people are really going to miss you in Washington but hopefully you will help us as Governor in Columbia.
Bill
I’ve had it with those three. Enough is enough. We need to kick them and all those like them out.
We deserve the chance to see what happens in the so-called conference report.
I’ve got a question for Obama. Didn’t he say he would be an open and transparent President? How does doing deals behind closed doors fit into transparent government?
What can we as a single American, who is tired of having laws passed with or without our approval, do? I am sick of someone with tthe power that our government has, just running rough shod over us.
What can be done?
Sincerely, Wanda Lyda
They don’t dare open the bill or “reconciliation conference” for us to read and watch. They are desperatly afraid that we’ll read and understand just how bad and socialistic it is. The leadership learned from the town hall meetings last summer and fall just exactly what we thought of what they were doing. That’s why they had to get both bills passed before the reps. and senators went home for their holiday breaks where they would have met unrelenting pressure to defeat them. I’m a transplanted Nebraskan and have taken a straw poll of my friends back home on Ben Nelson’s vote sale. They are angry, mortified and absolutely opposed to his, “sell out for money” in the name of Nebraskans. Most of them are preparing to toss him out of office in 2012. He’s polling about 30% behind the governor and the governor hasn’t even announced tghat he’s a candidate for Nelson’s senate seat. For trhe first time ever I personally will send campaign money outside my state to anybody who runs against Nelson, even if his name is Elmer Fudd.
They’re afraid of the American people – the TRUE American people. When you have to go behind closed doors and exclude the other Representatives from what’s going on – that alone should say some to the knowing public! They’re crooks and afraid of losing their (jobs) income from the very people they are suppose to be representing. Nobody in public office should be afraid to talk honestly to the American public! When you talk the talk your feet should be held to the fire and you should walk the walk!! Obama has done nothing but talk out of both sides of his face since (and before) taking office. IMPEACH HIM and make Pelosi and Reid follow him.
I am 69 years old, and have NEVER had any health insurance. Before one person says that I am rich, let me explain that my highest yearly pay I ever received was just under $ 30,000 a year.
When I was just a kid in 1961 I was in the service, stationed in Philadelphia, Pa. I was newly married to a girl, not pregnant, and furnished out a third floor apartment by going to a nearby dump and picking up the discarded furniture from the welfare houses that were being renovated at that time. I used what was available to me.
Pay your own way, in the end it’s less expensive than any gov. program
This is just their idea of CREATING JOBS. Government can not create sustainable jobs Only private business can create jobs;, government creates positions to get a working person through the red tape created by the government.
Their ” jobs ” only cost ! they contribute nothing to the economy.
This will be another form of spreading the wealth. The only way to spread the wealth, is to start stealing money poorly spent by the government and give it back to the private sector which will get any job done.
We are suppose to be government by the people, of the people and
for the people. Need to get back to basic.
The approach of the Democrat Party to the citizens of the United States has been one of complete arrogance. Their reluctance to advise the citizenry of their intentions and actions is the surest indicator that they are not concerned with anything other than an alteration of the manner in which the United States operates.
Unfortunately there is a slight similarity with the State Legislature in their continuing reluctance to make their votes known through public information services. This lack of concern breeds the illusion of having something to hide and it should be changed forthwith.
Please continue to work on our behalf, Gresham. We need you in Washington, but we need you in Columbia too. Can’t you figure out how to be in two places at the same time? The American people will suffer for years to come from the antics of this administration and congress.
We need you to stay up there in DC and fight for us!
Of course they are afraid. Anytime a person is crooked and sneaky as well as a liar, he is afraid, afraid of the truth and the people knowing what the truth is. That is how they keep control of the people. I pray their lies and trickery is about to come to an end as the people become more aware of what they are doing and the underhanded ways they are using to get what they want.
Really, They aren’t afraid of anything. If they were afraid, they would not be so blatantly socialistic and they would not be so bold as to think we would let them pass this bill. I hope no one actually complies with anything this bill requires. A little social or civil disobedience anyone? Hmmm…..
Will our Republican representatives find a way to save us from the monster? If they can stop this, will it be too little, too late?
1. The truth
2. They are ashamed of themselves and don’t want video footage to haunt them forever.
3. The morons that supported them would freak out and turn on them!
4. They are just plain devious.
They are affraid that we find the truth behind the real meaning of the bill, I Mr Barret, I so wish you were my senator, I live in Minnesota, and Feel that Al Frankin and Amy Klobache SUCK. Its sad when you have to look at other states senators for help. But I truly believe that this health care bill needs to be stopped I think there is a easier way for the 15% off Americans who don thave insurance to get insurance its call get off your butt and get a job or file some paper work through your county, Illegals are able to get insurance sp how come we need to revamp everything because a bunch of peoplea are lazy. Talk to heath care providers, hospitals, and get a standard pice set for procedures with an Alcart price list, We all as Americans need to work together to keep America what it is and my be beable to bring back some of what our forfathers had inmind.
Pretty simple answer. Get caught with their pants down with bribes, ear marks, the prostitution of our Constitution, payoffs from lobbyists that Democrats stepping down from re-election will get that we don’t know about yet, pork spending not even associated to health care just like in the military bill that has nothing to do with helping, supplying or protecting our military.
Their afraid that the treason against us, the legal law abiding citizens of America, so under the vail of darkness, like most monsters and criminals, they strike their backdoor locked door Socialistic agenda.
Treason. Short and simple. If our Founding Fathers somehow were allowed to come back, I have the feeling almost all Democrats, some Republicans and Rino’s would be blindfolded and led out back. Not to mention this administration.
Corrupt…from the HEAD to the TAIL!
They are afraid of the Truth. The truth sets people free.
They want to keep us in bondage to the government.
I think they are afraid of “We the People”. The Democratic Party has now stooped as low as they can go and are hiding an extremely unpopular bill from the American people. They have been confronted by the people, called out, and they don’t like it! The ballot box waits!
Sir – First, Obama is afraid that the people are starting to see what he is – a liar, a person who is out to ruin this great country of our. Pelosi, Reid – a real couple of losers. If they would let the American people see what is in that sorry excuse piece of legislation, and just what they are trying to pull off in the dark/closed doors, the people would put so much pressure on them to stop their under-the-table political antics and we would run them out of the country. Which, is just what the people need to do and with that accomplished, this country would rebound immediately. Obama needs to be impeached, Pelosi needs to be thrown out along with Reid. This sorry excuse that they are trying to shove down my throat has really turned on my gettum attitude. Keep up the good work Sir, and thank you for being here when we really need a strong American to take a stand.
Gresham thanks for all that you have done in Washington. We need Congressmen who care for American people. Thanks for stand. The Liberals do not care. They will find out that there are more conservatives in this country than they thought. 2010 will be ours. I am looking forward to be able to calling Congressman Greshaw, Governor Greshaw.
Any time people sneak around to do something, what they are doing is either illegal or immoral or both. Peloski, Reid and Obama do not want the USA citizens informed of what they (Democrats) are putting in this health bill. The bill is returning political favors to people, companies and organizations that gave money to help elect them. The bill will eventually cause all USA citizens to depend upon the government for their medical treatment and medicine. They want control of the American people. Ain’t gonna happen. Too many Americans want a democratic country; not a socialistic country. May God protect America from their actions.
They are all afraid of the truth.
they are such silfish idoits they don’t want us to know how STUPID they really are. they think they are above the law and everyone else. They have no idea what REAL people are but they hav ethe desire to control us so they can take tax money and feed themselves while we struggle to pay our utilities and mortgages.
They are afraid to let us know what is contained in the health care reform because, We the People will revolt!!! Speak up America, fight for your Freedom
They’re afraid of John Q. seeing just what a bunch of penny ante thieves and con artists they are, the special deals for special interests, the shameful, vote buying, prostituting spectacle it has become. They would go from being disliked & distrusted, to a despised laughing stock. What a bunch of crooked cowards! And they are selling this great country out with every passing hour. Like little Joe said, “You lie!” It fits the corrupt 3 to a T. BTW, did you see Nancy P’s arrogance when confronted about Pres. O’s promise to televise the deliberations on C-Span? What a totally class-LESS act!! Barrett, thank you for standing against this bad bad bad, even ruinous, legislation. Fight it to the last!
This bill is about total government take over of every business in the country. The bill is about total government invasion and control of every part of every persons life. If we don’t stop this bill from passing and being signed into law… The land of the free will be dead. The bill passed on Clinton’s watch after the Federal building in Oklahoma was bombed was really bad. The bill that was passed on Bush’s watch after 911 was hundred times worse. This bill is the final nail in the coffin. The American people are only willing to talk and are not willing to take action. The Elitists that have the money and the control will keep doing just exactly what they want because the people are to busy entertaining them selves to do any more than just complain. It is time for the people to take action or say good bye to everything you love. Get ready to experience first hand what the Russian people experienced 100 years ago and still have not totally recovered from. The people of China and Cuba know what it is like not to have freedom and we are about to know as well. Remember when Clinton sent the little boy back to Cuba?
Gresham, thanks for your leadership. I really appreciate the direction you are taking and I feel that it should be mandated by law to have Congressional and Senate term limits. The country can suffer through a bad President, but the continued abuse by the career Congressmen and Senators is killing our great country. The “will of the people” is being forgotten up there. The system as it is now allows the “career politicians” to continue to be elected because of party support and the cost of running campaigns. Never did our Constitution intend for us to have these lifetime representatives.
It seems to me that Larry, Moe and Curley are on the Titanic but still trying to tell all the other Democrats that the ship isn’t sinking. Which is what the ObaMedia is hoping to keep telling the general public. I also think none of them are actually speaking or communicating their own thoughts, they are being directed by the Labor Unions. That’s why the Stooges don’t want anyone to see what is really going on. Hey Moe; WHOOP-WHOOP-WHOOP
And I thought our government was founded by the people, for the people…
Where are ‘the people’ in this administration? The majority seem to have the least sway instead of the most in this administration.
Graham,
I don’t understand the bill at all and I think they are afraid we will understand how much it will cost and what it’s afeect will be on seniors.
I retired at 63, pay $1200 per mont h for health care through my company that I was with for 29.5 years.
The cost will continue to go up in the future, I had open heart surgery so I have no choice.
I got raped by the same company because the vast amount of my holdings were in company stock(my fault for trusting them) so I am screwed until hopefully the market comes back.
The company is Bank of America..
There is no doubt the heath system in America needs reformed but a 2700 page bill of which no one person can understand or comprehend is not reform. If this plan is so good for all Americans it is time for Nancy Pelosi, Harry Ried, and Barrack Obama to take the lead. They should declare that all Congressman, House of Representatives, and all staff members will be glad to do away with their health care and sign up for the same plan that all Americans will be required to be under. This should also include the President staff. This could all be done behind close doors, just like the health bill, and announced at the Presidents State of The Union Address in January. We’ll see how much they like the Health Plan.
I think every person in this country that does not approve of this would vote to elect new senators and congessmen in the next elections in their state. I think some of our representatives have forgotten who they really work for. It is time to stop taxing the middle man to death and stop some of this free crap, let the government take care of me.
Everything that this President and his people have been planned from the beginning. Hit the American people hard and hit them early because they (Obama, Pelosi, Reid, Emanual, etc) know that this will be their only shot at getting their agenda through. Ignore the American people wishes and do what THEY want to get their agenda through. Look at all of the flied who are dropping out from running again for re-election. Maybe Dodds and the Senator from the Dakota will get some back bone and vote against this idiot bill. We will let them know how we feel at the polls in November.
They are afraid of people seeing how corrupt and immoral they are. President Obama is a LIAR!
What are they afraid of ? …. THE TRUTH. They say health care can be provided to millions more with virtually no impact to the deficit over ten years, during the first four of which you have only increased taxes and fees and no benefits. What would a 20-year time horizon look like? And all those increased fees and taxes will be passed along to the consumer … that’s you and me. The nation needed health care reform and our democratic-lead federal government is trying to shove a big, new insurance entitlement down out throats. They should have focused on over- and underutilization of medical services, defensive medicine (tort reform), the cost of medical heroics, waste/corruption, an unhealthy population and the use of medical advances on an aging poulation. These are complex issues, but they should have been dealt with. And that’s the truth.
WELCOME TO WASHINGTON D.C., WHERE BUSINESS AS USUAAL, ONLY ON A GRANDER SCALE. ITS CALLED HEATH CARE REFORM. I WOULD CALLIT THE RAPE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. LETS NOT FORGET THAT 60 SENATORS VOTED FOR THIS BILL. I FOR ONE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW , HOW MUCH PORK IS ATTACHED TO THIS BILL,MONEY THAT WILL LINE THE POCKETS OF EVERYONE WHO VOTED FOR THIS BILL.POLITICIANS SHOULD REMEMBER THAT AMERICAN CITIZENS WHEN PUSHED INTOA CORNER WILL FIGHT BACK. REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER.
No wondwer Congress’ approval rating is so low. In 2010,get rid of the bums!
Gresham, The 15 years since the Contract with America have been wasted by Republicans who should have addressed these issues that Barry raised (above) long before the Dems got a chance to try to get their agenda passed. Obama is a pawn of the hard-cores like Pelosi and Reid and their puppet masters like Soros. They have to jump to their tune or they won’t be funded for their re-election campaigns. They DO know that the people don’t like this bill, but I think they know that “We the People” have had a very short memory in the past. Just notice how Pelosi is already trying to shift attention to getting new jobs going. I hope “We” don’t forget by November! There has been one salvation in dragging this passage out until the new year-it is closer to Nov. and harder to forget!
While on the subject of corruption -How will you get past the “Old-Boy” network in SC? Trading deals for votes is as old as this country, but the stink of it in Washington is getting pretty rank! I dona’t know if it can ever be changed, but if we throw enough of them out in Nov. maybe they will be a “little” afraid for awhile. You will have your hands full here, too, so please address this at home if you have national aspirations in the future. Many South Carolinians will remember your efforts if you can straighten our state out!
I will work to defeat this Health Care Reform bill, but the Republicans had better get going on reforms/repeal when they get in office or they won’t be there long. This is our last chance to hold off socialism for our grandchildren. Our children will thank us after we are dead and gone. Right now they are too busy with work and family raising to notice what is going on! The “greatest generation” is going to have to battle one more time to save America. (I came along in ‘45, but consider myself one of them, and proud of it.) We are still the largest voting block in America! Don’t lose hope but get to the polls! (I will be supporting others in other states who are willing to turn this freight train around.)
Everyone! Join a Tea Party Group!
I have always noticed that a number of the Communist countries contain the name “Democratic” in their titles. I understand there is a difference in the US Democratic party and the former and present communist countries (or has the gap been closing?). In showing my age, I also think about numberous “back-door deals” I have read about that affected the governance of this country, and other missions. If US citizens have a right to hear an open discussion of this, what are we sitting down for? Thank you for making this public, and for others who are revealing this travesty of justice. In leadership, I noticed the best leaders remember they are SERVING their constituents. I have had the displeasure to work with, for, and and even been higher in rank than some power-hungry mavens. These are the ones that believe they can do a better job, but will talk behind the back of the leader, and those they disagree with, instead of facing them with their differences. I have seen that, when they get the chance, it is their way or “the highway.” Apparently, several in government must be geting some benefit out of this, and s taxpayers, we will be literally paying for this overwhelming mistake for years to come. Thank you again, for getting this upcoming tragedy into the light, and being one of a Growing minority to take action.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. John 8, vs. 32
I am one of the many that have lost complete respect for the people in DC. All politicians are behaving badly and are interested in greasing their own pockets. They do not care about the true well being of our country or they would be focusing on putting 20 million Americans back to work.
- Tap our own oil reserves and drill on US lands – this will greatly reduce our trade deficit with people who want to kill us.
- Put Americans back to work in the energy sector
- gives us time to build Nuclear facilties for a cleaner future
- The taxes from the first three generates enough money to invest in infrastructure
-All of the above puts 20 million Americans back to work, WITH insurance, and we are better off and once again the worl leader
Obama, Pelosi and Reid should stand trial for treason for what they are doing. Let CSPAN in and the trial will begin….
I totally agree that this needs to be in the Public Forum, and that we should be able to see whats going on with our nation and the people who make our laws. There should be no pork in a health care bill, but its gonna be there.
Almost makes me think we need another cival uprising to quell these troubles, and I personally think we need to get the crooks out of our government.
Thank You Gresham Barret for standing up to the people involved in this matter and all others. As a South Carolinian I truly respect you for your efforts and truly believe you are going to be our next Governer.
Love and Prayers for you and yours
What’s interesting is that one of the “promises” that Obama made when taking office was that he would hold public opinion forums before signing on any legislation. He failed to do that when he closed Guantanamo Bay and further discussion about relocation of terror suspects.
Pelosi and Reid are afraid that their secretive, closed door politics will fall sour with their constituency, and they will lose their ability to control America. Obama is simply afraid to do what’s right and stand up against these dirty politics. Further proof: Obama accepted an apology from Reid for his racially insensitive remarks. Had Joe Wilson or Jim Demint made these remarks they would be filing into DC with pitchforks and torches.